Podcast 329: Cleveland’s Best Watson
2026-08-25Peyton Watson became a Cavalier last week, effectively turning a humdrum off-season into a qualified success. That this came before DeShaun Watson was named the Brown’s starting QB this week, made things all the better for the premiere sports team in the 216. Peyton is a young, talented soon-to-be-24-year-old, who popped in his fourth year with Denver to force an unfortunate financial decision for the Nuggets. Wary of big penalties in the second Apron, Denver moved Watson to get themselves out of luxury tax hell, while the Cavs took advantage of James Harden’s (more than appropriately compensated) good will to arrange a trade for Max Strus and a ninth grader (the likely current age of the draft pick they traded away).
To celebrate, Eli, Nate, and Chris piled into the newly refurbished podcast studio and broke it all down: the upside, the risk, and the ridiculous new contract for the beard. The guys broke down the LeBron decision mark four, then went through the contenders in the surprisingly deep eastern conference. Then they went over private equity slush fund that has become the NBA, nominated Adam Silver for prison, and made some pitches for restaurants and coming Cleveland nightlife.
As always,
love the Baker revenge game
A GOOD DAY FOR NE OHIO FANS 👍👍
TOTALLY AGREE BW —- KEEP THE UNITY / SAME VOICES / PHILOSOPHIES—— MOTIVATION WITHIN 👍👍
Weems promoted up to general manager. Jose Calderon as assistant general manager. I like the Cavs philosophy of promoting from within, growing things long-term.
Something Dan Gilbert had no interest in doing for a while. I’ve been critical of Dan, but one thing about him is that he does seem to adapt and learn from past mistakes (and is willing to spend obviously).
👍👍👍 AGREE WITH ALL YOU SAY ( GAURDS ) RAOUL ——- NEED TO SWEEP THE A s 👍💪
1st PLACE GAURDS 👍💪……….” MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE “
YES GAURDS / RAOUL 👍👍👍👍—-WE ARE ALIVE!!!!!
Yes! Anyone have Brayan Rocchio leading the team in RBI in mid-September?
a couple days ago I was debating someone online that wanted to send Petey Halpin down and bring back Manzardo. my point was that you gotta keep the fastest guy / best outfielder. and now he’s hitting home runs!
next year we might sound like a T – Ball team, with Petey and Ralphy batting #1 and #2. BTW, I am in favor of NOT bring Ralphy up to keep him off the 40 man, so he will be able to play next summer in the likely event there is a long strike/lockout.
👍👍👍👍👍CLF
NEW COACH—- SAME OLD “ FROWN- CLOWN 🤡- BROWNS “ —— EVEN WORSE THAN LAST YEAR!!!!!!
WHO DEY NATION WELCOMES YOU NOMAD!!! WE GOTTA DEFENSE NOW!
we’ll see. ownership’s insane cheapness will probably doom you again.
“Trust the process”,,,,,,,Haha!!!!
what do you expect without an NFL level QB? they are tanking now because next year’s draft if loaded with top QB’s. this year they are probably giving Watson 2,3,4 games, and then see if the other two guys have the talent to be a backup.
Life is short. Spend those hrs doing something else other than watching Browns. In the rare event of an epic win, you can catch a rebroadcast etc afterward. You will be happier (and perhaps healthier).
better to hang with your team, whoever they are.
LET US ALWAYS REMEMBER!!!!
NOT A BAD ANALYSIS JASON—- MY 2 “
SHOCKER “ PICKS ARE. “ HEJ “ / PROCTOR—- THINK THEY WILL HELP MORE THAN PEOPLE GIVE THEM CREDIT—— WE SHALL SEE👍💪🏀
Roster ladder:
Starters: Harden, Mitchell, Watson, Mobley, Allen
Proven Rotation: Merrill
Hopefully Plus Rotation: Tyson, Hezonja
Proven Bordeline Rotation: CPJ, Bryant
Hopeful Rotation: Tomlin
Hopeful Draft Steal: Thomas
Hopeful Level Up: Proctor
Developmental: Diop
Overall depth will probably cost them some regular season games but I don’t see it affecting the playoffs too much, for better or worse. That said they really need some combo of Watson, Merrill, and Tyson to give them something in the playoffs.
Hezonja, I’m pretty much in the I’ll believe it when I see it camp. Mostly expect him to be a regular season innings eater, not terrible but not a playoff contributor. I like the gamble though and hope I’m wrong.
👍👍 29— I ATTENDED EVERY “ WORLD SERIES OF ROCK “ IN THE OLD STADIUM—— SOME GREAT PERFORMANCES THERE AND “ MORE DRUGS “ THAN ALL CLEVELAND PHARMACIES COMBINED 🤪🤪🤪
I was living the calm live in Southeast Ohio and missed the WSOR era. I did make the the Rolling Stones in the Akron Rubber Bown (72?). basketball skills majorly helped surviving at the very front of 55,000 drunk people — just like my coaches told me about positioning for rebounding in heavy traffic: keep your feet wide apart and stay low!
I made a few of those.
AN EARLY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU RAOUL!!!🍺🍺🍺
29 again!
Harden deal official.
https://hoopswire.com/cavaliers-cavs-nba-rumors-james-harden-contract/
Spotrac has his cap hit this year at $30.4 mil. So virtually all of our space 7nder the 1st apron. Only $45,000 worth.
Barring a trade to free cap space, we cannot add at the deadline.
AGREED RAOUL—— BEFORE I FORGET ( THAT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY 🤪) —- AN “ EARLY “ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU RAOUL ( pretty sure it is tomorrow) —- LAST ONE TO 100 YEARS (( cuz I know I am older than you) BUYS 🍺🍺🍺🍺 FOR ALL US CTB BROS 👍👍👍👍
not sure if you are older than me — I saw the Beatles in the old stadium. BTW, after playing Cleveland, Cinci, and ?, the Beatles realized it is all downhill from here, and never never toured again.
Suck it, Birds!!! #guardsball
KJG STILL PROMOTING A JA TRADE 🤮 (barf) FTS HASNT WRITTEN A COLUMN IN ABOUT A WEEK???
my guess is that FTS consists of about three guys who love the Cavs, are pretty smart and well informed, but have other jobs, which limits how much material that can create. also right now is kind of vacation time for NBA news. meanwhile KJG pays about a dozen content creators, most of whom cover multiple teams and sports. most of them just want to get something out there everyday, and do not care if it is crap. I do give a couple of the KJG guys credit for occasionally coming up with some good stuff. those few should look… Read more »
have to wonder also if any of them have succumbed to AI writers
Denver / Watson story:
https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/09/more-details-on-peyton-watsons-departure-from-nuggets.html
Interesting “he said/she said” about the hamstring injury, and whether he was pushed to return to play too soon (according to his camp), or was slow-playing his return to avoid injury and protect free agent market value (according to the Nuggets’ camp). Based on how it’s gone with Garland’s and others’ injury situations with the Cavs, I suspect Watson’s side of that story is closer to the truth.
yeah, although OTOH Klutch players always seem to be involved is stuff like this.
Yep, that’s my takeaway to be honest.
I think there is a general dislike of dealing with Klutch and Rich Paul. To be fair, to me, Rich Paul always seems so irritating in all of his actions that we see.
There’s a podcast/youtube interview rolling around out there between Watson and MPJ that gets quoted in the article. The interview is worth the listen but it does seem like from Watson’s perspective he was definitely planning on coming back for round two. Either way, we tend to push these players into coming back asap to play more basketball. But these are all human beings who, at all times, deserve to exercise their bodily autonomy and if they are injured, should absolutely protect themselves. Their body is their labor.
Look what playing through the toe got Garland. I don’t blame Watson a bit
good point.
TOTAL BS CALL IN MICHIGAN GAME 🤬🤬🤬🤬
that is what Donovan Mitchell says.
apparently there was a one second difference between the network TV clock, and the “official” clock. I wonder if there is any way to prove this? and, if so, why?
Perhaps naive question: Will Diop’s contract allow him to play a fair amount w Charge?
And does anyone recall DeSagana Diop drafted out of Oak Hill Academy by the beloved w the 8th pick of the 2001 draft? Averaged about 2 pts and 3 rebounds over multiple seasons in CLE. Hopefully last name is where the resemblance ends, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the resulting stat line (if we see one) is similar.
Yes the Cavs can assign any player with less than 3 years experience to G League.
More than 3 years, the player and union have to agree to it.
Yeah I remember DeSagana Diop. Forgot he was an 8th pick, ugh. That was back when every team not named Lakers or Spurs was desperately seeking someone big enough to have a prayer of guarding Shaq (not saying DeSagana was up to the task!).
Some family members took to calling him “Lasagna”. Now a G league coach (Westchester Knicks).
PG: CPJ
Combi guard: Mitchell, Harden, Thomas, Proctor
SG/SF: Tyson, Merrill
SF/PF: Hezonja, Tomlin
PF/C: Mobley
C: Allen, Bryant, Diop
Some may quibble with Harden as a combo guard instead if straight PG.
IDK what to do with Watson. I want to say he can play 2-4, but I fearcit may be more SF/SG than any PF.
👍👍👍👍 AGREED NATE—- KEEP IT GOING GAURDS !!! ———— O-H-I-O GO BUCKS!!!!
What a double header, Guards!
year, what a fun double header! each game had one of the kids ties the game late, and walk it off at the end!
Not sure I’m on board w the early multi run deficits, but hell yeah!!
DONT AGREE WITH HIM THAT OFTEN— DO THIS TIME WITH STEPHEN A —— “ KAWHI SHOULD BE MADE TO STAY IN LA / ENDURE THE CLIPPER s PAIN THAT HE HELPED CREATE “———- MOST MEDIA ARE COMING DOWN ON SILVERN FOR HIS “ VERY LIGHT PUNISHMENT “———- HEY SILVERN TIME TO “ GROW SOME BALLS THE SIZE OF YOUR FRIGGIN EARS “ !!!
I wrote a longish explanation yesterday, but a pop up said “potential span” and it disappeared. I didn’t feel like putting the work in to try again. anyone know why that happened?
anyway, the short story is that the league needed to get the players association to sign off before Balmer’s lawyers attack. so Kawhi gets to keep the 40+ M, but don’t fret: he did say he is sorry, pay a 0.7M fine, and agree to keep Uncle Denny out of the lockerroom for a while.
🙏🙏 NATE 🍺🍺
There’s a pretty interesting interview between DM, TMac, and Vince Carter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6xxKdYFZQE
Good pull JMay, I liked his comments about Mobley, and also being humble about the NYK series
His response about the Knicks was the part I respected the most. A clear eyed take of his and the team’s performance. Unlike our couch…
SEPTEMBER IS A GREAT MONTH FOR GREAT PEOPLE TO HAVE BIRTHDAYS 👍🙏🍺———— THANKS CLF !!!!
AM A YEAR OLDER TODAY— NOT SURE ABOUT THE WISER PART……………….” MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE “———NOT SURE HOW MANY MORE I HAVE ( birthday s ) OF THESE 👍🍺😁
I will be joining you in the “year older club” next thursday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COACH!!!
Happy belated, NOMAD!
MR STEAL/ DASPEC 90 —- TOTALLY AGREE WITH BOTH OF YOU——- TOTAL BS KAWHI GOT OFF SO FREAKING EASY—— SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MINIMUM OF 20 GAMES!!!!
as I recall, Kawhi has a history of cheating at every chance — whatever Uncle Lenny can dream up.
It is insane to me that Kawhi was not suspended for this BS and only had to pay limited restitution while the Clippers are in shambles.
It’s a player hurting other players and teams for his own enrichment and disrupting competitive balance. 10-20 games would have been appropriate as a deterrent (suspect the penalties are low bc the Clippers did not turn out to win much with Kawhi but that shouldn’t excuse the act)
Yeah, that’s pretty bad. Kawhi pled complete ignorance of any wrongdoing. It reminded me of A Rod claiming he didn’t know someone was injecting steroids into his rear end.
AS AC SAYS “ THROW THE HAMMER DOWN “—— THINK LEAONARD GOT OFF EASY —- SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SUSPENSION THERE!!!
League bringing the hammer down. Feel bad for DG and Max but EFF the Clippers.
I do as well, though Darius has only 2 seasons left on his current contract which will end before the draft pick penalties start.
Diop signed: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/cavs-sign-former-second-round-171009046.html
major upgrade team hair coolness!
JASON 🙏FOR “ HEJ” UPDATE —- DOWN FROM PREVIOUS GAMES—-WILL SEE WHAT NEXT GAME (s) BRINGS——STRONGER OPPONENTS/ SCOUTING REPORT TO STOP HIM
Looks like it’s Diop.
Curious as to how the DAZN thing affects League Pass / out of market. Oh well, not like I’m not gonna watch.
I’m still not clear on if we’d be able to get the broadcast over antenna. $20/mo really sucks, though.
I mean I pay a lot more to carry cable basically for the Cavs and Guards.
It’s true it’s cheaper than cable, but the whole sports viewing experience / streaming media-sphere has become an total hell-scape. I’m sure you will need amazon, hulu, cable on top of DAZN in order to see all games + playoffs. I’m nope-ing out of all of it. Radio and youtube highlights for me until I lose interest altogether, which to be honest I struggled watching half the games last season anyway.
Hezonja much more subdued vs Netherlands in a 101-99 win.
16/4/4. 3 steals. 5 TOs. 5/13 FGs. 2/7 from the land of plenty.
SO MUCH FOR NOMAD WATCHING ANY GAMES 🤬 “ DAMN – DANZ “
AMICO —- HOOPS WIRE.COM HAS A GOOD ARTICLE ABOUT DANZ ( DAMN ) —MISS THE DAYS OF GOING TO LOCAL CABLE CAVS STATION AND VIEWING IN ON AC / CAMPY /ETC ——- OH WELL- LESS CAVS VIEWING = MORE “ THE “ MRS NOMAD FROLICKING 👍👺😈
I hadn’t been following this DAZN news but it sounds like my time watching Cavs games has come to an end. Endlessly finding news ways to make it difficult to watch games. Will listen to the radio I guess.
The channel is ran by a guy all over the Epstein files to boot, fucking disgusting move from Cavs Dan
SOUNDS AS IF DIOP WILL BE ADDED TO ROSTER—— RUMORS NIANG ( last year pick ) COULD BE ADDED TOO
If the Harden mumber is correct, we only have room for one add until later in the season.
👍🙏👍🙏👍🙏 JASON/ ALWAYS APPRECIATE!!
With Whitmore waived & strtched, we are $32 mil under the first apron. A touch more. If Harden’s deal is a $29.9 cap hit the first year like spotrac says, then we have around $2.1 mil in space.
Enough to sign a 2nd round pick at $1.3 (Diop) and still have around $750k left. We could even come back into the buyout market around March 1 for a pro-rated vet min guy, I think.
But Whitmore had to be the one to go. He freed up $3.5 mil in space. Waiving a bottom of the roster type like CPJ or even Hezonja would have only freed $2.4 or $2.1, leaving us with only $1 mil under the apron. We’d couldn’t have signed a 14th player.
We would have had to waive/trade Tyson or someone else more expensive &’m replace them with multiple guys.
Lets game this out. In terms of PPG.
Harden 18, Mitchell 25, Watson 15, Mobley 17, Allen 15. That’s 90 pts.
Last year Merrill & Tyson gave us 13 each. If Merrill, Tyson, and Hezonja can give us 30 combined, that is 120 from your top 8.
That is a lot of points without the other 6 guys added in. CPJ, Bryant, Tomlin, & Thomas mainly. But Proctor & Diop, too.
THAT IS WHAT FTS IS SAYING— DIOP
Whitmore waived and stretched as expected. bring on Diop?
“ HEJ “ WILL NOT BE EXPECTED TO
PRODUCE AS A # 5 PICK / FORCE FEED ON SOME CRAPPY TEAMS ———— PLAYING WITH LESS PRESSURE/ MORE MATURE ( emotionally/ physically) AND PLAYING WITH TEAMMATES LIKE HE WILL WITH THE CAVS I AM OPTIMISTIC HE WILL BE AN ASSET AND KOBY SHOULD BE READY TO RESTRUCTURE HIS CONTRACT HEJ “ IN THE ZONE “ YA
yeah, good chance Hej could be a good rotation guy. but not optimistic Koby could restructure anything with no money.
In a different role, but perhaps similar to peak Cavs Rubio in providing veteran value add w second unit? Who would be his running buddy à la KLove?
Oops, I owe an applogy on Hezonja, he was the Spanish league MVP in 2026, not the Euro League MVP.
It has been a pretty good 5-6 year run in Europe. Voted the most popular and most spectacular player in Greece in 2021. Was the Russian league MVP and all-star game MVP in 2022. 2nd team all-EuroLeague in 2024. First team all Spanish league in 2025 & 2026 + MVP in ’26.
Spanish SuperCups in ’22 & ’23. Euroleague winner in 2023. Spanish Cup in 2024. League in ’24 & ’25.
Neil Paine’s ’25-’26 regular season Offense Ratings:
No data: Hezonja, Niang, Bates, T. Thompson, Thor
Neil Paine’s ’25-’26 regular season Defense ratings:
28/3/7 for Hezonja as Croatia roll Latvia 115-80. 8/13 FGs. 0/5 on triples, 8/8 on 2s. 12/15 FTs.
https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-basketball-world-cup-2027-european-qualifiers/games/127116-CRO-LAT#boxscore
I’m starting to get legit excited.
in the zone with Hezonja!
the “He – Zone”
I mean, 37 vs Turkey with a step back 3 with 4 seconds left to win by 1 and then 28 the next game despite no triples but 8/8 from 12 and 15 FTAs. Despite being 6’8″, 220 he is more of a 3 than a 4. Just for gits and shiggles: Thomas at PG at 6’5″, Watson at the 2 at 6’8″, Hezonja at the 3 at 6’8″, Mobes at PF and Allen in the middle. Not saying it is our best lineup, but it is LONG. And that is a card we have not had to play in… Read more »
Who is a good comp here? The last Euro guy coming over of interest was Yabu, who didn’t show this level of production…just don’t know how to think about him given this level of play and age
sure, he is a wildcard.
the Cavs have made a couple moves that, with a LOT of luck, MIGHT make them a top contender. Hey! this is a good thing. there is no point in gripping that no moves have been made to magically transform them into the best team in the league.
Oh agree – I just don’t know how to think about how his production translates. Like, he seems to be playing like German national team Schroder – is that what we should expect? A competent backup with a few really great tools at this level?
it will be like Christman morning! when you open a package, you know know it is something super cool, or a pair of socks — but you still look forward to getting up
“HEJ “. WITH 28/7/4 STAT LINES——— CAVS MIGHT HAVE A PLAYER——- WATCH HIS HIGHLIGHTS—- WADE LIGHT YEARS AWAY FROM WHAT “ HEJ “ CAN DO
He was the Euroleague MVP last year. Not just some dude playing in Europe.
Now, I will admit I am still somewhat skeptical after his first tour in the NBA. But it is clear that he is much improved since then.
Wade is bigger. A better defender and rebounder. More of a 4 then a 3. He even played some small ball 5.
Hezonja is more 3 than 4. But as you said, miles better offensively.
JASON 👍🙏—- YOU ARE A WEALTH OF INFO / ALWAYS APPRECIATED!!!
JASON YOU ARE A “ WEALTH OF INFO “ —-ALWAYS APPRECIATED————- ONE OF THESE DAYS THE CTB BROS NEED TO MEET UP AND HAVE……………” MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE “………… WILL CONVINCE “ THE “ MRS NOMAD——“ PARTY ON THE FARM “ ———— HAVE TO BRAG UP MY “ SMOKE JUMPER/ FIREFIGHTER SON “ —- JUST PARACHUTED INTO THE HAWK FIRE LAST WEEK/ TO ASSIST—— NOW HEADED TO TEXAS OR OREGON TO ASSIST WITH THOSE FIRES 🔥——— HE IS 1 “ TUFF SOB “ 👍👍👍
Heights & weights. Listed..
Harden: 6’5″, 220
Mitchell: 6’2″, 215
Watson: 6’8″, 200
Mobley: 6”11″, 215
Allen: 6’9″, 243
———
CPJ: 6’1″, 180
Merrill: 6’4″, 205
Tyson: 6’6″, 215
Hezonja: 6’8″, 220
Bryant: 6’9″, 248
Thomas: 6’5″, 189
Proctor: 6’4″, 185
Tomlin: 6’8″, 210
————
Udeh: 6’11”, 257
Diop is 7’1″, 231.
We are definitely really small on the bench.
Yep. I think some size would be helpful. PF at a min if not C.
Whitmore watch.
With 13 players signed and Harden pending, we are $28.412 mil belowe the 1st apron hard cap.
Harden hit is reportedly $29.938 mil. Could be off but wouod explain whyvthe deal is still pending…need to shed salary first. And by enough to add a 14th, and possibly at some point 15th player.
We are $1.5 over atm. Waive & stretching Witmores $5.4 mil costs us $1.8, for a net of $3.6, minus $1.5 is $2.1 mil of space.
Not enough for a 2+ year bet min. Thomas makes $1.35 mil as a 2nd rounder. Something around there would leave $750k in space. Perhaps enough for another player signed in season. Tomlin cost us $718k last season.
If Altman can find a taker for Whitnore, ideally for no cap back/waivable asset, then we’d have around $3.9 in space. Enough for a vet min ($2.449 mil) AND a 2nd round/2 way guy.
Or Harden’s deal could be for a smidge less. But if that was the case, I thinknit would be official by now.
Real easy to talk about other people’s money, but why doesn’t JH take like $3M less this season and maybe get it back in yr 3? I know, I’m suggesting someone else push millions back, but if the desire is to get paid AND to win (which would benefit from avoiding salary cap issues)…
👍🙏 JASON—- “ YOU THE MAN “ !!!
“HEJ “ WILL BE SHOWCASING HIS TALENT s THIS WEEK AT THE FIBA WORLD CUP ———- SHOW US SOMETHING “ HEJ “ —— BUT ALSO STAY HEALTHY 👍👍
👍🙏 JASON— HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR A COUPLE YEARS FOR CAVS TO BRING DIOP OVER
I know you have – NOMAD. I thought of you when I saw it.
According to some, if we cannot trade Whitmore the plan is to waive & stretch him and sign a draft rights big (Diop or Kamagate) as #14.
Probably don’t have enough to sign a 15th until around the deadline & salaries are pro-rated.
https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/whats_holding_up_james_hardens_new_cavs_contract/s1_17038_44222273
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES HARDEN 👍
GAURDS ARE “ ON FIRE 🔥 “ —- KEEP IT GOING GUYS 👍💪
totally. if this keeps up, the Guards can win the division easily. this brings up a very interesting question: bring up Ralphy for the playoff, or not? he is totally knocking the cover off the ball this year in A, AA, and now AAA, and might help a lot in the playoffs. OTOH, it appears there is likely to be a long strike/lockout to start next year, in which case anyone on the 40 man roster will not be allowed to participate in any team activities, while the other guys can play in the minors. since Ralphy is just learning… Read more »
Another fun episode with an all time great title 😂
TY!
GO GAURDS RIGHT RAOUL
Guards got Angels in Game #1 – no juice tonight though. Williams seems a little off.
They rollin now, though!
“President Stevens will be exposed. Shoutout to EG!”
Quote of the pod.
LMFAO thanks Simmo!!!
Gorgeous Georges to the Dubs.
OUCH THAT IS “ BITTER SWEET “ CLF —BUT IF NEEDED I GUESS CPJ IS ODD MAN OUT
The other option is dumping CPJ or Tomlin.
CPJ fan, but easily should be him so Proctor and Thomas get real run.
You’d keep Whitmore over CPJ?
Guys, we are not keeping Whitmore, nor should we.
Trade or waive and stretch.
That’s tough but probably yes?
HEZONJA —- BY MID SEASON I WILL HAVE IT DOi👍🤪. “ HEJ “ FOR SHORT 👍👍
YES ( as I posted recently) THE CAVS GOT THE GOOD WATSON 👍👍👍——HESONGA IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING PROSPECT——WHEN WILL CAVS MAKE A DECISION ON WHITMORE—— WILL THEY PURSUE BROWN / BROWEN
Hezonja. I think I am spelling that right.
As reported, we cannot even sign Harden officially as we do not have the space under the 1st apron.
Whitmore has to go, or Harden’s deal has to be for a small bit less.
The math I see says if we waive & stretch Whitmore, we have enough to sign a player, but not the $2.449 or whatever the cap hit is for vet min with 2+ years. A couple hundred k short. Can’t sign Brown or Love or Kuminga or even Agbaji.
So either Harden has to take less, or Altman has to try and offload Whitmore for: no salary back, a player we can waive without a cap hit, or one who creates enough space to sign a vet for the last spot (rookie undrafted/2nd round pick).
The cost of stretching Whitmore is like $1.8 mil on this year’s cap. So we’d need someone cheaper than that back.
Slim pickins, I’d think. Someone has to like his upside (doubtful) or we will have to attach something (we don’t have much).